Wikipedia

Supergraphics

Not to be confused with a graphic novel imprint by Jim Steranko.

Supergraphics are large-scale painted or applied decorative graphics used over interior or exterior walls, floors, or ceilings in order to alter visual perception of a building or interior space.[1][2][3][4][5] Supergraphics typically wrap around multiple architectural planes or surfaces,[6][4] and change appearance of spaces by affecting perception of their size or depth.[7][8]

Supergraphics are one of the tools of environmental graphic design that can allow to incorporate wayfinding or branding[1] in public spaces like transit hubs, office buildings, hospitals, or schools.[2][9] Supergraphics have also been used as a tool of urban renewal.[9][6] Unlike murals, supergraphics are defined by their oversized scale and typically incorporate typography, multi-colored abstract graphic shapes, patterns,[10] or illustrations.

History

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Supergraphics originated in mid-1960s[3] and surged in popularity during the 1970s.[4] Early practitioners of supergraphics included graphic designers Barbara Stauffacher Solomon,[11][12] Morag Myerscough, Lance Wyman,[13][2] and Deborah Sussman.[8][7][14] Sea Ranch, a 1965[15] project by Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, introduced supergraphics to a wide American audience.[16][8][17][18] After a decline in popularity in the decades that followed, supergraphics experienced a resurgence in 2000s.[6][19]

The term supergraphics was first used by teacher and critic C. Ray Smith[19][6] in 1967[4] to describe experimental work developed by the postmodern architectural movement of Supermannerists.[6][19] Smith's definition of supergraphics excluded depiction of alphanumerics or figurative illustrations. Over time, the term had been expanded to include any large-scale architectural graphics that alter the viewer's perception of architectural environment.[4][6][7] Modern interpretation of supergraphics also includes graphics that are projected digitally or displayed on screens.[19]

References

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  1. ^ a b Baldwin, Eric (2017-06-19). "Building Identity: 10 Bold Supergraphics That Make a Statement - Architizer Journal". Journal. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  2. ^ a b c Dawood, Sarah (2018-02-22). "Supergraphics: how to transform public spaces through design". Design Week. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  3. ^ a b "Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  4. ^ a b c d e AnOther (2015-04-27). "Really Super Graphics". AnOther. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  5. ^ "A Tour Of The World's Coolest Supergraphics". Fast Company. 2018-03-02. Archived from the original on 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  6. ^ a b c d e f PrintMag (2011-01-23). "Su, Sup, Super Graphics". PRINT Magazine. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  7. ^ a b c Brook, Tony; Shaughnessy, Adrian (2019). Supergraphics : transforming space : graphic design for walls, buildings & spaces. Unit 2. Internet Archive. London: Unit Editions. ISBN 978-0-9562071-1-1.
  8. ^ a b c "A supergraphics superhero". Torched. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  9. ^ a b "Supergraphics". formsofinquiry.com. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  10. ^ "The Iconic '70s Design Trend That's Back in a Big Way". Food52. 2022-02-18. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  11. ^ Gortmaker, Christopher (2025-07-28). "'Like art vanishing into architecture': Barbara Stauffacher Solomon's Modernist Supergraphics". ASAP/Review. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  12. ^ "Loving Supergraphics: The Bold and Colorful World of Babara Stauffacher Solomon". Lateral Objects. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2025-07-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ Inglis, Theo (2023). Graphic Design Bible: The Definitive Guide to Contemporary and Historical Graphic Design for Designers and Creatives. Prestel Verlag. p. 292. ISBN 978-3-7913-8990-5.
  14. ^ PrintMag (2012-10-10). "Supergraphics and Computer Art: Deborah Sussman and April Greiman in L.A." PRINT Magazine. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  15. ^ Adams, Sean (2018-03-30). "Big". DesignObserver. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  16. ^ "Supergraphics: Is this OTT '70s Design Trend Making a Comeback?". Apartment Therapy. Archived from the original on 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  17. ^ Heller, Steven (2024-05-13). "The Daily Heller: Supergraphics Supernova Barbara Stauffacher Solomon Dead at 95". PRINT Magazine. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  18. ^ Walker, Alissa (2018-01-03). "Sea Ranch's world-famous supergraphics almost didn't happen". Curbed. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  19. ^ a b c d Shaughnessy, Adrian (2010-09-07). "A new generation of supergraphics". Wallpaper*. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
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